DO, 5 Soldiers Shot

Experts Warn AboutArmed Conflict

In Cameroon

Uncertainty SurroundsMt. Cameroon's

Possible Eruption

BY ERNEST SUMELONG & FRANCIS TIM MBOM

Intelligence sources have con-firmed the gunning down onMonday, June 9, of the DivisionalOfficer, DO, for Kombo Abedimo inthe disputed Bakassi Peninsula.

FFELIX FONYA MORFAW,ELIX FONYA MORFAW, aGendarmerie BrigadeCommander and four soldierswere reportedly shot dead by

yet to be identified gunmen. Their bod-ies, arms and boats are said to havebeen carted off to an unknown place bytheir assailants.

According to our sources, this infor-mation was gotten from three othersoldiers who managed to escape duringthe assault. At least one of them ispresently being treated for gunshotwounds in Akwa, Kombo Abedimo.

The AttackAccording to Cameroon's Army

Chief of Staff, General Rene Claude ZeMeka, the DO of Kombo Abedimo washeading nine-man delegation on hismaiden official visit to a fishing port inKombo when tragedy struck.

But our own sources hinted thatthe Fonya delegation had as mission,to restore and enforce state authorityin the area whose rather recalcitrantinhabitants are mostly of Nigerianextraction. But that by some weaknessin Cameroon's security network, newsof the impending visit had leaked tothe perpetrators of the grisly act.Almost the entire Nigerian communi-ty, who constitute 80 percent of thearea are said to have taken off, just

Bakassi Boils Again!The PostTHE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE SERVICE OF THE PEOPLE

No. 0959 FridayFriday , June, June 13, 2008 PRICE: FCF13, 2008 PRICE: FCFAA 300300

70 Percent OfPrisoners Are

Suffering IllegalDetention

p. 3

Turn to p. 2

House SpeakerConfronts Police

Over MP's Passport

Illegal forest exploitation has becomean issue of great concern to environmentand forestry officials in the EastProvince.

SS TTAATISTICSTISTICS from the East ProvincialDelegation of Forestry and Wildlife indicatethat 1665 cubic meters of white wood were

seized from loggers in the Dengdeng and Goyoumforest reserves between November 2007 and April2008.

According to the Provincial Chief of ForestControl Brigade, Pone, the seizures came within theframework of an operation dubbed "Operation coupde poing" launched on November 12, 2007 by theEast Provincial Delegate for Forestry and Wildlife,Bruno Mfou'ou Mfou'ou.

The operation was intended to weed out loggersfrom these forests whose conservation is one of thepreconditions for the construction of the Lom-Pangar Dam.

The wood, according to Pone, was auctionedfor FCFA 22,000,000 and the proceeds deposited inthe public treasury.

Elsewhere in the Province, 2100 cubic metresof sawn timber were seized from loggers within thesame period. Pone further revealed that 18 offencecases related to illegal logging were taken up by theProvincial Delegation the last six months.

He said some of the cases have already beenforwarded to the Ministry for further action. Guiltyparties could be required by the 1994 forestry lawsto suffer prison terms ranging from one year tothree years or fines ranging from FCFA 3,000,000to FCFA 10,000,000.

It remains to be seen whether those civil pro-ceedings will lead anywhere, given that those inpower generally tend to connive with the loggers.

SetbacksA recent study carried

out in the East Provinceshows that 21 percent ofcivil proceedings taken byforestry officials in the EastProvince against illegal log-gers were "stopped by someone on high up."

Tracking down illegalloggers is hampered by anumber of factors. Eco-guards are so poorlyequipped that they find itdifficult to monitor largeareas of forestland.

Secondly, they are fewin number as one forest con-troller has to monitor over20,000 hectares of conces-sions and loggers have developed the instinct toskirt the controllers. More over, even legitimateloggers, pushed by the profit impulse, usually gobeyond their legitimate bounds.

A 2001 study by Brown and Ekoto entitled:"Forest Encounters: Synergy Among Agents ofForest and Natural Resources Management inSouthern Cameroon", states that "a company mayfalsify its tax declarations to conceal illegal loggingespecially when logging an area for the first time.For instance, the company, ETD, operating in UFA10 to 047 logged an area of 12,300 hectares insteadof the 2,500 hectares it was legally allowed to log.The total loss of tax revenue, based on area cut andestimated timber harvested exceeds two billionsFCFA."

In all this, the indigenous people, particularlythe Baka, benefit very little from the forest of whichthey are the natural custodians. Their location is

quite ambiguous: too accessible to loggers, tooremote for the benefits of modern life to makethemselves felt.

The problem of illegal logging and, indeed,wanton forest exploitation has become so seriousthat in 2005, WWF warned during a ForestrySummit in Brazzaville, Congo, that "if illegal log-ging is not stopped, the Congo Basin's forestreserves, which include those of the East Province,would disappear by 50 percent in the next 50years".

While officials of the East ProvincialDelegation of Forestry and Wildlife have succeed-ed in weeding out loggers from the Goyoum andDengdeng Forest Reserves, officials of theDelegation of the Environment and NatureProtection are sensitising the population to plantmore trees.

BY ROBERT TUMASANG

Indiscrminate logging destroys the eco-system

Illegal Logging, A Rising Concern In East Province

about when the DO's delegation was about toarrive.

When Fonya and his entourage arrived, the gun-men allegedly opened fire even before they hadtime to alight from their boats. Our source said shewas convinced that whoever perpetrated the actcould be privy to Cameroon's military intelligence.She told The Post that this was possible, owing tothe fact that majority of the inhabitants of theBakassi area are Nigerians and that it would only benatural for them to give their allegiance "where ittruly belongs and matters". To her, Cameroon'sintelligence network in the disputed territory isalmost next to zero, whereas the Nigerians, to bor-row her words, have mined the entire area withundercover agents.

According to her, the same interest group has, inthe recent past, ensured that Cameroon's nationalflag was brought down each time it was hoistedhere, hence the ill-fated decision of theCameroonian authorities to restore and enforce stateauthority in the place.

Our source says the attack could have been per-petrated with what she called the disguised backingof certain foreign authorities, on account of theAugust date by which the Bakassi dispute is sup-posed to be "completely dealt with in Cameroon'sfavour".

Except for the press releaseby the Army Chief of Staff,explaining the circumstances ofthe assault, there has been nostatement from the Presidency.

A special team of top military officers hasreportedly been assigned to Bakassi with a brief tofish out culprits of Monday's attack.

Colonel Hypolite Ekaba of "Operation Delta,"the military unit in charge of Bakassi operations, isleading the officers in the investigation.

As at midday Wednesday, June 11, The Postgathered that the officers were still being awaited atthe assault site.

It should be recalled that Colonel Ekaba tookover from Oyono Mveng as the new Commander ofthe Delta Command following the killing of 21 sol-diers on November 21, 2007.

August 14 Handover

Even though the reason for the attack remainsunclear, sources claim that the August 14 date forthe handover of the remaining portions of theBakassi Peninsula has evoked anger in the localinhabitants who are mostly Nigerians.

That is why some claim that a rebellious groupin the area that has expressly opposed the handoveris not unconnected with the killings.

Even though Cameroon was given control ofthe area, prior to August 14, 2008, when the remain-ing parts of the Peninsula are expected to be cededto Cameroon, local administrative officials havehad a Herculean task trying to stamp their authority.

The relationship between local Cameroon

administrators in most areas in Bakassi and theinhabitants is sour. Both parties treat each otherwith mutual suspicion. The attacks further frustratethe work of the joint commission charged withimplementing the Green Tree Accord and the finalceding of Bakassi to Cameroon.

Since the International Court of Justice, ICJ,ruled in favour of Cameroon, the death toll forCameroonian soldiers has continued to pile for var-ious reasons.

In his recent visit to Bakassi, the head of theEuropean Union, EU, Delegation to Cameroon,Javier Puyol, cautioned security forces, deployed inthe area, to tread with care.

Puyol, speaking in a press conference inYaounde, said the counsel came against a back-ground of suspicion, scepticism and distancingobserved from the rather cold reception adopted bythe people of Bakassi when he visited the area.

The fresh assault has come not only to compro-mise efforts by officials of both countries to ensurea peaceful transfer of the rest of the disputed area,but it might create a stalemate and suspicionbetween the two nations. Besides, it is the secondattack on Cameroonian soldiers after 21 soldierswere killed in November, still by unknown gunmen.

The DO who was involved in the ill-fated inci-dent, it should be recalled, also served as DO ofMuyuka from where he was punitively transferredto Kombo Abedimo after the 2004 Presidential elec-tions at the instance of his boss who, The Postlearnt, got the Yaounde authorities to believe that hehad SCNC sympathies..

The PostPost No. 0959Page 2 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008

WW eekendereekender News

Continued from p.1

Bakassi Boils Again!

BY CHRISTOPHER JATOR NJECHU

Rival members of the Hogbe Nlendfaction of the Union des Populations duCameroun, UPC, Hon. Charly GabrielMbock and Henri Hogbe Nlend, have rec-onciled in Yaounde.

MMBOCKBOCK, who had resigned from theparty in July 2007 and formed theNational Movement Party, vowed

recently to carry on the struggle for which theUPC has stood for.

In the reconciliation meeting with theHogbe Nlend faction, he also dissolved theNational Movement Party. The former UPC

Crisis within the main UPC began in 2002when Hogbe Nlend fell out with the party'sSecretary General, Augustin Frederic Kodock.

In spite of the separation, tensions hadremained with the Kodock and Hogbe Nlendfactions claiming legitimacy of the party.

But since Mbock created the NationalMovement Party, it has remained in the abyss,without any political base. Even Kodock in apress conference said the party was a fake,claiming that it never had the required 500 sig-natures as required by the 1990 Law to consti-tute an entity for legalisation as a politicalparty.

In order for his party to gain popularity,Mbock waged a reconciliation campaign to gainall former UPC militants who had resigned

reconciliation in order to have a political basesince the National Movement "was a child bornin a coffin".

A committee at the reconciliation meetingresolved to jointly organise what Hogbe Nlendcalled non-partisan 50th anniversary of theassassination of the founder of the UPC,Reuben Um Nyobe, on September 13.

A document titled "Orientation Note onStrategy for the Struggle for Unity and theRegeneration of the UPC" was also adopted.

The document is a recommendation for theUPC factions to convene a "unitary" congress ofthe party. Among other things, the documentproposes the creation of a common frameworkto educate and train militants and sympathis-ers of the UPC party towards a patriotic com-

Gabriel Mbock, Hogbe Nlend Bury 'UPC' Hatchet

Experts Warn About ArmedConflict In Cameroon

BY KINI NSOM

EEXPERTSXPERTS have warned thatCameroon will remain a potential-ly fertile area for armed conflicts

if no measures are taken to check theillicit circulation of arms.

They sounded the warning inYaounde on June 3 at a round table con-ference to mark the Global Week forAction Against Gun Violence.

An NGO, Women in AlternativeAction, WAA-Cameroon, organised theoccasion at the Nsimeyong neighbour-hood.

Speakers at the occasion were unani-mous that Cameroon remains in dangerbecause it shares porous borders withconflict-stricken countries. These coun-tries are Chad, Central African Republicand Congo.

According to them, there are manylurking conflicts that could one daydegenerate into armed conflicts if theillicit circulation of arms is not fullychecked.

WAA-Cameroon Coordinator, JustineKwachu, said it was incumbent on stake-holders to raise awareness and seek dif-ferent ways of stopping gun violence.

"We must arrest the problem of ille-gal circulation of small arms and lightweapons;'' she admonished.

She said gun violence kills more than500,000 people a year and injures morethan a million the world over. To her,gun violence is a public health crisis ofglobal proportions with negative socio-economic consequences.

"Gun violence is the illegal use ofguns on citizens,' one of the panellistsstated.

Michael Kamgha, a lecturer at theYaounde Higher Police College, saidthere are 1134 gun-manufacturing com-panies in 94 countries. In the same vein,he said 55 percent of arms in the worldare legally or illegally owned by civilians.Uniform officers, he disclosed, have only45 percent. He said gun violence is evenmore ramified by the fact that there areover 300,000 child soldiers in the worldwho use guns anyhow.

One official from the Presidency saidthe case of Cameroon is not healthybecause the law governing the control ofguns has loopholes. He said many indi-viduals in the nation possess armsbecause the law empowers the Ministerof Territorial Administration andDecentralisation to let them acquirethem.

Buttressing this point, PoliceSuperintendent, Rita Nji, also a lecturerat the Police College said the law permitsevery citizen of good morals to possess agun.

In such a situation, she said, the gunscan only be used for individual protectionand nothing else. She said the law doesnot permit every police officer to have agun.

Going by her, police who have gunsare not authorised to use live bullets toquell down a strike.

"While maintaining law and order,the police have no right to shot until,they are authorised by the Head ofState," she explained.

The Police Superintendent qualifiedarms as a necessary evil given that theyare used to maintain the security ofcountries and are also the source agony ifmisused.

Because of her strategic geographicsituation in the Central African sub-region, she recommended that Cameroonshould play a leading role in stopping theillicit movement of arms.

For his part, Felix Ebonge Eboa, anofficial at the Ministry of ExternalRelations, regretted that there is a blackmarket for arms.

He said Cameroon should take strongmeasures to check the illegal circulation

BY KINI NSOM & NFORMI SONDE KINSAI

The Chairman of the NationalCommission on Human Rights andFreedoms, NCHRF, Dr. Divine ChemutaBanda, has stated that 70 percent ofinmates in prisons are being detainedillegally.

HHEE made the statement in a chatwith The Post in Yaounde on June10. According to the NCHRFChairman, the percentage of peo-

ple under abusive detention since 2003 hasnot changed despite the institution of thenew Criminal Procedure Code that providesfor the presumption of innocence.

The Post gathered that apart from theabusive custody of people for years withouttrial, the detention conditions are appalling.It was hinted that some detainees, especial-ly in the Douala New Bell Prison, do noteven have a place to sleep.

NCHRF officials assessed that the deten-tion conditions have improved from whatused to obtain during the pre-2003 period.

A penitentiary officer, who spoke to ThePost anonymously, acknowledged the horri-ble detention conditions. He said the JusticeMinistry is aware of the appalling conditionsand measures have been taken to remedythe situation. He noted that the Ministry isworking in partnership with the EuropeanUnion Delegation in Cameroon to decongestprisons. He revealed that a new prison to

new site.Also, Dr. Chemuta said the

Commission still registers com-plaints of people being tortured indetention cells. He condemned sit-uations where security forcesabandon citizens in distress ongrounds that there is no fuel.

"We want law enforcementofficers to understand that thepromotion of human rights is alsogood for their interest," Dr.Chemuta said.

Meanwhile, it was gatheredthat the major violations regis-tered by the Commission have todo with abusive dismissals fromwork, refusal to register workerswith an insurance scheme, squab-bles over landed property, breakin family ties etc. According to theCommission's 2007 report, over2000 complainants of humanrights abuse were recorded.

Some of the human rights vio-lations recorded at the NCHRFheadquarters and its branchoffices of Bamenda and Bueaincluded: 77 cases on right to accommoda-tion, 85 on right to fair trial, 81 on right tophysical and moral integrity, 76 for basicdetainee rights, 66 cases of arbitrary arrestand detention, and 132 cases on right toproperty. Other categories included 48 caseson right to work, 18 on right to nourishment,15 on abuse of power and authority, 47 on

ment, two on right to safety and security and18 cases on right to life were also recorded.Corruption and influence peddling had arecord of 17 cases.

A NCHRF official commented that manyCameroonians whose rights are being tram-pled upon are suffering silently because oftheir ignorance of the various instrumentsthat give them the leeway to pursue perpe-

The PostPost No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008

WW eekendereekender

Page 3

News

70 Percent Of Prisoners Are Suffering Illegal Detention

SCNC Vice Chair Elected IntoUNPO Presidency

BY CHRIS MBUNWE

TT HEHE Vice Chairman of the SouthernCameroons National Council, SCNC, NforNgala Nfor, has been elected into the

Presidency of the Unrepresented Nations and PeoplesOrganisation, UNPO.

Nfor Nfor was elected during the ninth UNPOGeneral Assembly that held recently in Brussels,Belgium.

The General Assembly was organised at theEuropean Parliament with full attendance of UNPOmembers and delegates from all over the world.

According to some home-based SCNC leaderslike Prince Hitler Mbinglo Nfor Nfor's election will goa long way to advance the liberation struggle andeventual independence.

During the General Assembly, Marino Busdachinwas re-elected as UNPO Secretary General. LedumMitee Esq., leader of the Movement for the Survivalof Ogoni People in Nigeria was elected UNPOPresident and Ms. Maysing Yang, Vice Minister ofOversees Compatriot Affairs Commission of Taiwanwas elected Vice President.

Senator Marco Perduce, member of the ItalianSenate for the Democratic Party was electedTreasurer.

Other candidates at the General Assembly includ-ed Maxim Gunjia from Abkhazia, Adduraman Egiz,from Crimean Tartars, Dolkun Isa from EastTurkistan, Mohamoud Daar from Somaliland and sixothers.

A dispatch from the UNPO office, of which ThePost procured a copy, stated that the GeneralAssembly held "substantial discussion on the broadsense of the concept of self-determination and itsresolve to address and fully consider the right of self-determination, ranging from autonomy, devotion, andfederalism."

The UNPO also debated on topics of climatechange, potable water and food shortages which if notchecked would have devastating effects world stabili-ty.

General resolutions also reached out beyond theUNPO membership to express members' support forthe ongoing global struggle for human rights, democ-racy and freedom of expression.

Receiving particular attention were calls foraction against the proliferation of landmines and theneed for the international community to take concreteaction in investigation of situations in Burma andChina in the wake of events in 2007 and 2008.

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BY KINI NSOM

Police returned Hon. MichelNintcheu's passport, June 10, after ashouting match with the NationalAssembly Speaker, Hon. Cavaye YeguieDjibril.

TTHEHE passport, which the police seizedfrom the Wouri East MP on March 2,was handed back to its owner shortly

before the ongoing parliamentary sessionbegan on Tuesday.

The authorities of the Glass House foughthard to ensure the return of the MP's pass-port. This move averted the SDFParliamentary Group's threat to boycott thesession as a mark of protest.

Following the SDF's MP's threat to boy-cott the session, the Speaker of the National

Assembly and the Minister at the Presidencyin charge of Relations with the NationalAssembly, Gregoire Sebastien Owona, inten-sified the onslaught to recover the MP's pass-port.

According to sources at the Ngoa-EkelleGlass House, both authorities had negotiatedfor the MP's passport to be given back onMonday June 9. It was reported that theDirector General of Security Informationknown in French as La RecherchéExterieure, Bienvenu Oubelabout, assuredthem he would return the passport to Hon.

Nintcheu. The Speaker insisted that

Nintcheu should go there at 8 amon Monday. Nintcheu said when hearrived in the company of the SDFParliamentary Group leader, Hon.Joseph Banadzem, Oubelaboutstarted scolding them. He saidafter treating them to a two-hourargument, Oubelabout said hewould only give the passport toGregoire Owona.

The Post learnt that Owonastruggled to retrieve the passportin vain. The Speaker had to scoldand threaten the man before hesent the MP's passport to theNational Assembly.

Hon. Cavaye and Owona hand-ed over the passport to Nintcheu ina short ceremony at the NationalAssembly.

Nintcheu said the Speakerregretted what happened andwished that no such thing repeatsitself. He remarked that the policeinformation service plays animportant role in ensuring the

security of the state but that they were "vir-tually a state within a state".

The MP condemned the fact that thepolice violated his parliamentary immunitywith impunity. After having gotten back hispassport, Nintcheu is contemplating courtaction against the police.

Commenting on the issue, the ViceSpeaker of the National Assembly, Hon.Joseph Mbah Ndam, said the police even dis-respected the Speaker by refusing to handover the passport earlier.

According to him, it was scandalous thatan appointee like Oubelabout would refuse totake instructions from the Speaker of theNational Assembly who is the second statepersonality.

By keeping the MP's passport and refus-ing to give it back even after the Speakergave instructions to that effect, Mbah Ndam,said the police violated the constitution.

Quoting section 2(1), of the constitution,Mbah Ndam said "National sovereignty shallbe vested in the people of Cameroon whoshall exercise same either through thePresident of the Republic and MPs or by wayof referendum."

He said in the spirit of the constitution,no section of the people or any individualshall arrogate to itself or himself the exercisethereof. He said the authorities responsiblefor the management of the state shall derivetheir powers from the people.

By dint of such constitutional provisions,he said, it is unacceptable that appointeeslike the police should lord it over electedstate authorities.

Opening CeremonyWith Nintcheu's passport handed back,

the opening plenary of the second ordinarysession of the National Assembly went hitch-free, paving the way for the Speaker to con-demn the skyrocketing prices of basic com-modities.

Such a phenomenon, masterminded bysome unscrupulous business people, heobserved, is an affront to two ordinances thePresident of the Republic signed recently.

He said Parliament would contribute itsquota in making life cheaper forCameroonians by ratifying the ordinances ofthe Head of State of the suppression andreduction of tariffs on the importation ofbasic commodities.

House Speaker Confronts Police Over MP's Passport

NCHRF Chairman: Dr . Chemut a Banda

Cavaye: House S peaker

BY FRANCIS WACHE

There is one lingering headacheSenator Barack Obama needs to solvebefore launching his campaign fullsteam for the November presidentialpolls: choose a running mate.

SSPECULATIONPECULATION has been rifeabout who will emerge victoriousfor the number 2 slot on the

Democratic ticket. The number hasreportedly zeroed down to 20. Yet, thebattle is far from over.

Hillary Clinton, the former FirstLady, who Obama beat to clinch theDemocratic nomination, seems thefavourite name. She appears to possesswhat it takes to ensure an easy victoryfor Obama.

Clinton proved during the primariesthat she commands a considerable fol-lowing. By her tally, 18 millionAmericans voted for her. If she were torun alongside Obama, it would be easyfor her to woo a chunk of that electorateto the Democratic side. Other wise, assome have threatened, they will feelalienated and defect to the Republicans.

In her concession speech, Clintonreferred to Obama as imbued withgrace and grit. Obama was equallysuave. He referred to her as "a leaderwho inspires millions of Americans withher strength, her courage, and her com-mitment."

Thus, there is mutual respect andesteem. Obama, himself, admitted thatClinton had waged a "valiant cam-paign". It is, therefore, easy to conclude

that her stupendous campaignskills, combined with Obama'selectrifying eloquence should

be irresistible for most voters. In her concession speech, Clinton

was unequivocal about her determina-tion to contribute towards an Obamavictory. Said she: "I will work my heartout to make sure that Senator Obamawill be our next President and I hopeand pray that all of you will join me” inensuring that victory.

Besides, Clinton has pledged fealtyto Obama: "I endorse him and throw myfull support behind him" she said. Onhis part, Obama stated - ambiguously-that Mrs Clinton will "continue to be inthe forefront of the battle" by theDemocrats to capture the White House.Did he insinuate the forefront role ofVice President? The answer, however,will only be clear in the coming days.

Senator Clinton, on her part, needsthe Vice President nomination if shehas not yet said farewell to her presi-dential ambitions. She is 60 and could

still make a dash for the Oval Office ineight years.

She, too, is in a quandary. If sherefuses to run, she will be termed aspoilsport who refused to lend herweight to Obama because she was bitterabout her defeat. If she accepts and theticket loses, she might end up takingthe rap for the drubbing. Either way,the choice is no easy task.

Meantime, the team set up byObama to sieve Vice Presidential hope-fuls is said to have narrowed the searchto 20 names, comprising "top officialsnow, former lawmakers and former topmilitary leaders." That could just beanybody.

In any case, Clinton sounds like thefront runner. And, lest we forget, shedemonstrated during the primaries thatshe can be a ...marathoneer.

One way or the other, Obama willneed all the “grace and grit” he canmuster when he settles down to makethe “best choice.”

No. 0959Page 4 The PostPost FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008

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BY KINI NSOM

The Director of the International Union for theConservation of Nature, IUCN, Prof Aime JosephNiango, says Cameroonians should exploit forest andwildlife resources in a sustainable manner for futuregenerations.

He made the remark in a chat with press during his visitto Cameroon recently.

He said illegal exploitation of forest and wildliferesources remains a threat to future generations.

The Burkinabe-born conservationist said biodiversityconservation, climate change sustainable exploitation offorest and wildlife are issues that must be taken serious

him to weigh the challenges following the merging of theCentral Africa and West Africa bureaus of IUCN.

The IUCN now has only one bureau in West andCentral African regions situated in Ourgadougou, BurkinaFaso.

During his visit, he said he discussed environmentalissues with the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, ElvisNgolle Ngolle and the Minister of the Environment andNature Protection, Pierre Hele.

IUCN is an International NGO that works with organi-sations engaged in the fight for the sustainable exploitationof natural resources. It works with states, government agen-cies and civil society organisations.

The outfit intends to intensify its activities in Africa

Preserving Wildlife Resource For Future Generations

WW eekendereekender

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US PRESIDENTIAL 2008 WATCH

Why Clinton Should Be Obama's Running Mate

Obama - Clinton: The Democrat s’ dream team

Cocoa/Coffee Farmers Get FCFA 450m To Boost ProductionBY CHRISTOPHER JATOR NJECHU

Cocoa and coffee farmers will soon improveon their production through FCFA 450 milliondisbursed by the Steering Committee forSupport to the Protection of Cocoa and Coffee.

TT HISHIS was one of the decisions arrived at during thesecond session of the steering committee inYaounde, recently.

The Committee Coordinator, Luc Njock Nken, said theproject is considering the possibilities of assisting the farm-ers through direct disbursement of funds.

The goal is to enhance productivity of the sector, whichis considered crucial to the economy.

The cocoa/coffee sector has for some years now suf-fered from fluctuating prices on the international market,causing farmers to abandon production. The most disturb-ing factor was the recent disposition by manufacturers ofchocolate, who wanted to use other substances in the pro-duction of chocolate. This move caused much fear amongstproducers who found no reason producing for a dwindlingmarket and low prices.

Cocoa and coffee are now in high demand, and farmerswould need to produce more to meet the demand.

According to the committee, the money would reachbeneficiaries in the form of farm inputs via organisedfarmer groups as well as NGOs.

Against a background of complaints that such gesturesmade to them never reach them in their right amounts orreached them late, Nken said this approach will be appliedto limit administrative hurdles and enable farmers set theirown priorities in respect of their agricultural calendar.

While measures are being taken to reach out to all theprovinces, so far seven provinces in which the project oper-ates will have some 75,000 treated plants by 2009 at thecost of some FCFA 666 million.

The Secretary General at the Ministry of Agricultureand Rural Development, Jean-Claude Eko'o Akouafane,said the objective of the meeting was to examine the levelof implementation of the resolution of the first steeringcommittee meeting, the report of activities for last year andto adopt this year's projects and budget.

The project, since its creation, has provided support tococoa and coffee producers including the provision of farminputs such as spraying machines, pesticides and protectionkits for farmers.

The Post: How did you come about makingthe Bar Exam a success?

Barrister Tchoungang: For sevenyears, there had been no Cameroon BarAssociation examination and there hadbeen no barristers-in-training in the vari-ous law firms and chambers across thecountry. We worked in collaboration withthe Vice-Prime Ministry in charge ofJustice and Keeper of the Seals.

What are your preoccupations?Our intention is to show proof to

Cameroonians that we too, can contributeto the economic development of our coun-try. We are creating more than 542 jobswithout any subvention from the powersthat be. Our provincial tour to swear in thepupil advocates is also an opportunity forthe Bar Association to tell theCameroonian public that the legal profes-sion is alive in the country. There is nostopping for us. We are showcasing ourbest products to the public, to the adminis-trative and traditional authorities of thecountry. The feedbacks have been positive,especially from the families of the pupilcandidates. The Bar Association will not

only swear in people, it will endeavour togive them the right and rigorous trainingthey deserve.

Are you hoping to swear in more lawyersnext year as the law stipulates?

I am not there to judge others and thepast. I am in control now and as I continueto be there, I will respect the laws in place.Therefore, as this batch of trainees willgraduate in two years, we will organiseanother Bar Exam. We are concerting withthe supervisory ministry to adapt the lawsaccording to the calendar of activities wehave; according to the training format andthe periodicity of the exams. The training isfor two years, so as others check out oftraining, simultaneously, other traineesshould be coming in. It wouldn't makesense, while others are in training and weare recruiting more people. Management,follow-up and training will certainly not beeffective. Shelving the examination forseven years created artificial unemploy-ment. Hence, the Bar Association wasforced to do a spectacular intake of 542trainees. It has never happened inCameroon. We are working hard so that a

similar situation will neverhappen again in the BarAssociation.

Could you tell us more aboutthe partnership the Cameroon BarAssociation and European Unionclinched?

It is a convention to giveassistance to detainees inprison cells in the country. Theassistance is multi-faceted; thehealth of the prisoners, the gen-eral conditions of the prisons,the infirmaries, the organisa-tion of the penitentiary sector,regular vaccination campaignsand those imprisoned withoutlawyers to defend them. In thislight, the EU has put at the dis-posal of the Bar AssociationFCFA 600 million, to recruit200 lawyers who will defend3000 detainees identified in theten provinces for free. The con-tract will be renewable, follow-ing the performance of thelawyers. We are also discussingwith the EU the need to re-energise the capacity of our barristers. Weare also looking at how to decentralise thelawyers. Most of them are concentrated inthe big towns, while there are courts in thecountryside without lawyers. My intentionis to ensure that all the courts in the coun-try have lawyers. We are also working onthe modalities to enable a lawyer to stay inan area where there is a court without alawyer. I say a big thanks to the EU and tolet them know that we are a credible organ-isation to work with. We are not askingthem to give us cash in hand, but to fundour projects, which are all geared towardsto the development of the Bar Associationand the Cameroonian people.

What next while you are still BarPresident?

I am working! The Bar Association hasbeen existing for 36 years without a head-quarter. Recently, I obtained a deed of con-veyance for a piece of land in Yaounde,which will house the Bar Association. Adistinguished organisation like ours shouldhave a well constructed office equippedwith up-to-date working materials andmanned by a respectable staff. My nextproject is to begin construction on thatland. It wouldn't take long for it to start.My fervent wish is to see that all what wedo for the Bar Association goes on hitch-free.

INTERVIEWED BY WALTER WILSON NANA

INTERVIEW/NEWS

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Bar Association Creating Jobs For Cameroonians - Bar President

Uncertainty Surrounds Mt. Cameroon's Possible EruptionBY AZORE OPIO & ELVIS TAH

Against a backdrop of speculations,wild rumours and some panic that Mt.Cameroon is threatening to erupt, ThePost set out recently on an expeditionof inquiry.

TTHE POSTHE POST accompanied a vol-canic research student, ErnestNdumbe, from the Vrije Universityin Brussels, Belgium and a moun-taineer, Emmanuel Vefonge.

The investigation was based on the quest toknow the possible risk areas and the people's per-ceptions of geo-hazards around the Mt. Cameroonregion. The team visited villages like Debunscha,Bibundi, Idenau, Bomana, Kotto I and II, Ifolofo,Katakata, Kukekumbu, Mueli, MunyengeTrouble, Bokosso, Ibie right down to Ikata inMuyuka.

It also stopped at the Remote Sensing, RS,Unit (a geological station to detect volcanic activ-ities on the mountain) at Bokosso.

Ndumbe established from his findings that thecommunity's perception of Mt. Cameroon erup-tions is completely different from a geologist'sstandpoint.

"Some people believe that the mountainerupts due to the high level of petroleum in themountain or minerals. Unfortunately, it is a geo-logical accident to find petroleum in a volcanicarea," said Ndumbe.

He held that Mt. Fako is found along theCameroon volcanic line and it is active volcano,which means it must erupt after some years.

On whether the time is ripe for the mountainto erupt, Ndumbe said when he arrived in thecountry, he met a geologist, Dr. Samuel Ayonghe,who argued that the mountain was not about toerupt.

ture but they discovered that the temperature hasrather dropped and that there is no cause foralarm," recalled Ndumbe.

"According to my findings, no eruption isabout to take place," Ayonghe reportedly said.

Ndumbe also pointed out that most of the vil-lages behind the mountain are enclaved anddevoid of electricity, national radio and TV sig-nals or telephone network.

"Some of the villagers said they heard thereports on the last volcanic eruption but on BBCand Radio Calabar from Nigeria," Ndumberecalled.

Bakweri Chiefs Speak Some of the Bakweri chiefs the team met

seemed to bask in the myth that Mt. Cameroonerupts whenever a chief dies.

According to Chief Jacob Difongo ofBomana, they (chiefs) are supposed to offer sacri-fices to appease Efasamoto (the god of the moun-tain). He said he has personally seen Efasamoto.

"There is a particular area on the mountainwhere no language apart from the BakweriBomboko vernacular must be spoken. If Englishor any other strange language is spoken there, itwould cause an eruption," Difongo said.

He stated that when a Bakweri chief is aboutto die, there is usually a sign on the mountainwhich is understood only by custodians of the tra-dition.

Another elder in Kotto I, Emmanuel MwamboIkome, corroborated Chief Difongo. He said theParamount Chief of Buea, Chief SM Endeley,usually rallies other chiefs and they offer sacri-fices to the god of the mountain. Quizzed onwhether the sacrificial lamb is an albino accordingto rumours, Ikome said it is not human sacrifice.

"My late father toldme that when there was aneruption, they usuallywent up the mountain andoffered a sacrifice. Thearticles for the sacrificeusually consist of a whitegoat, white hen and awhite cloth, and it canonly be performed bymembers of a particularcult," said Ikome.

Poto PotoQuarters

At Poto Poto quarterin Bokwaongo, where the1999 eruption affectedmany people, the denizenssaid they have not sensed

any sign of a possible eruption.They, however, said they witnessed the ash

fall some two months ago. That notwithstanding,Hanna Mbua, who lived the experience of the1999 eruption, said early in the mornings and latein the evenings, she used to perceive a smell that

One Isaac Chungong, who lost most of hisbuilding, recalled that President Paul Biya visitedthem and promised to send them aid, which he didbut they never saw it.

Chungong remembered that they receivedonly rice.

On their preparedness in case there is anothereruption, the denizens said they are not ready andthat should the mountain erupt, the only thingwould be survival of the fittest.

Meanwhile, Michael Ndang, owner of astorey building in Great Soppo, said he is notafraid of a tremor because his house was builtaccording to specifications from the Delegation ofLands and Survey.

According to him, he used rods (12 mm and14mm) which are used for the construction ofbridges, to build his house. He said he made surethat enough cement was used with broad pillars tosupport the upper floors.

When our inquiry finally took us to the gatesof Ekona Geological Sensing Centre, we drew ablank. It was the second time. A staff, a researcheron gas explosions, eruptions and so on, Dr. FestusAka, told The Post that he was not in a position totalk about the mountain erupting.

Dr. Aka said he had no authority to talk to thepress as his boss, Ateba Bekon, had not delegatedsuch powers to him although they have relevantinformation. Ateba himself was on a trip abroad.

Poring over a laptop, Aka, however, referredus to the notice board where a note de service (amemorandum of sorts) MINRESI/IRGM/500, allwritten in French and signed by Ateba on21/4/2008, authorised one Mbassa Benoit Josephto act on his behalf. Unfortunately, Mr. Mbassawas not available for comment.

It is not known whether the centre could issuean early warning in case of an eruption or a quaketo enable the communities in the region to evacu-ate to safety.

What The Post has learnt is that some of theremote sensors planted around the Mt. Cameroon

For seven years the examination into the Cameroon BarAssociation was taboo on the lips of prospective lawyers. Theentrance examination had been shelved, gathering dust and itwasn't thought that it could happen. Today, it seems too goodto be true. Last year, the Bar Exams were conducted. Andtoday, hundreds of pupil advocates are at work picking theropes of their profession in their various chambers and the lawcourts. To them, this means thinking the unthinkable; earninglong-awaited employment. Barrister Charles Tchoungang,Cameroon Bar Association President, during whose mandatethe Bar Exams were organised, spoke to The Post recently atthe swearing-in ceremony of pupil candidates, on how theycame about the success story. Excerpts:

Barrister T choungang

Can destruction such as this be prevented in case of another erutpion?

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The People Speak

What Do You Think Of A Biya/Fru Ndi Meeting?It Would Be Fruitless

A meeting between President Paul Biya and John Fru

Ndi would not yield any fruits. This is because Fru Ndi

has been talking to Biya through other mediums and

Biya has always ignored his proposals. If Fru Ndi meets

Biya, he would propose the sharing of key ministries

between Anglophones and Francophones, and the magi-

nalisation of Anglophones. Biya has heard all these and

he would not change.Tabe Ngongho, PYC, Kumba

It Will Lead To Nation Building I think the meeting is quite alright

because it leads to nation building.It is very important to join thevarious politicians and theirpolitical ideas on a platform gear-ing towards the advancement ofthe country. Through their meet-ing, many things will be discussedin a bid to improve the statusquo

Victor Wani, Health Personnel, Buea

Could Lead To BriberyI am afraid that a meeting between Paul Biya and Fru

Ndi could lead to bribery of the latter. Biya has struggled forseveral years to quell the SDF in vain. This time, Biya mightsuggest an envelop that the opposition leader may be tempt-ed to take. I pray Fru Ndi should not disgrace us by sellinghis conscience. He should put his points clear in a strongdebate, and strive to better the situation of the dwindlingeconomy.

Robenson Ngoh, WESCO, Kumba

The Two Have Different IdeologiesI think Fru Ndi and Biya should

actually meet because the twoseems to have different ideolo-gies. When they get together,they shall combine their ideolo-gies and chat the way forwardfor a better Cameroon. In that

way, it will help in nation build-ing.

Enanga Ndumbe, UB Student

Time For Talks Is Long GoneI will answer this question by a Shakespearian Quote

from Julius Caesar. Shakespeare said "there is a tide in theaffairs of men which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune."The 'flood' for the SDF was in 1992 and the SDF missed theboat, the 'flood.' They boycotted the parliamentary electionsof that year. At that time, many of us were in the SDF andwe advocated strongly that the SDF goes for the elections butour voices were suppressed by the so-called intellectuals inthe party at that time. When the SDF was strong they shouldhave negotiated with President Paul Biya. Biya is an intelli-gent politician and he doesn't need the SDF anymore. Thestrength of the SDF has already been tested on several occa-sions, and so if Biya accepts to meet with the SDF he will onlybe giving them credibility at this point in time. Biya is theman we all know; he will not meet the SDF. He doesn't needthem. But, if for reasons of national reconciliation or whatev-er, Fru Ndi and Paul Biya decide to talk, it may be good. I donot see anything good coming out of the talks. I do not see thetalks helping the SDF.

Barrister Henry Ngale Monono, Limbe

Necessary For Them To Meet When national issues are

astake, all of us have to take adecision. I think it is very nec-essary for Fru Ndi and Biya tomeet, because they lead usand if the country is not mov-ing, I feel that their comingtogether and arriving at adecision will lead to a homoge-neous thinking. That is, we shallall follow them in unity and not indispersed ranks.

Thaddeus Chick, Nurse, Buea

Need A Packet Deal For CamerooniansI happened to have been the person

who paved the way for CPDM - SDFtalks in Yaounde in 2002. So, wemet with Fru Ndi's envoy JusticeNyo Wakai, Charles Ndoumbaand former Prime Minister PeterMafany Musonge. We met in hischambers thrice, and they gavemodalities of the talks. In the finalanalysis, the talks started; that was in1997. Then the SDF walked out of thetalks prematurely because they requested government to putin place an independent electoral commission. Governmentsaid it was working on it and asked whether it would not bepossible for the SDF to join government so that they couldput up a proper independent electoral commission and han-dle other issues plaguing the country. Unfortunately, theSDF walked out of the talks.

From my findings and proposals, the government wouldwant to know from Fru Ndi, what is his packet deal, whatwill he tell his militants and Cameroonians after this talks.Since he is the one requesting to meet

President Biya on behalf of himself and party, he shouldopen up and put forth practical modalities on what and whyhe wants to meet the President. It is not a safari trip. Beforetwo key political figures like Fru Ndi and Paul Biya meet,they have to agree on certain principles of discussions. It isgood for them to meet, but the most important thing is whatdo they have as a packet deal for Cameroonians. If the pack-et deal is in the interest of Cameroonians, it will be a goodthing.

El-Hadji Lawan Bako - UDP Chairman, Bamenda

W ould Be Of No Help To SDFWhat Has Fru Ndi Been Waiting For The Past 18 Years?

I don't think a meeting between Biya and Fru Ndi now willbe of any help to the SDF. If I may ask, why had Fru Ndi towait for 18 long years before seeking to meet Biya? Fru Ndiwould have long asked for an audience with the Presidentand not wait for 18 years. And if you look at the SDF for thesepast 18 years, instead of the party progressing, they haverather been regressing; moving backward and losing some ofthe founding fathers. Fru Ndi does not really have a grip ofthe SDF any longer. Asking for an audience with the Head ofState after 18 years, I think Fru Ndi probably wants to lookfor a situation where he can regain his grip of the party. Ithink that if they are honest to themselves, they will get intothe Government.

Isaac Dale, YCPDM Fako I President, Limbe

I Had Advised Fru Ndi On ItI will say yes without hesitation,

given that these are two leadingpolitical figures in Cameroon. Iwish to recall that in April 2003,I sent a memo to Fru Ndi, whereI questioned why two politicalleaders like them have nevermet for over fifteen years. I evenwent further to threaten resign-ing from my post, if they did notmeet to talk before the 2004Presidentials. Fru Ndi rebuffed me, and Ihad no option than to step down. First, I was aware of Biya'sadvances for a meeting with Fru Ndi, and I knew that if theydid meet the beneficiaries will be the Cameroonian people. Istill hold that it was a monumental error by those whoadvised Fru Ndi otherwise. Secondly,

However, if the meeting is to negotiate posts for the SDFand himself, as Fru Ndi insinuates, then I have my reserva-tions.

Martin -Luther Fon Yembe- Former NW SDF Chairman

A Big JokeTo me, Biya/ Fru Ndi meeting is a big joke, neither of

them is trust worthy. They do not represent a clear vision ofthe solution required to solve the problems Cameroonians arefacing today. President Paul Biya represents and protectsBeti interest, while Fru Ndi is blind to the reality of SouthernCameroons where he resides. In short, Biya and Fru Ndioperate for self interests, they are egoistic, and are no worthyof anything national.

Biya Is Not Desperate To Meet HimI am surprised that the SDF National Chairman is still

interested to meet with Biya instead of working out ways ofhandling numerous problems plaguing his party. Biya is notso desperate to meet him because the

Constitution has been amended, his ministers and toparmy officials are not experiencing any hardship. Farmersare crying because of hike in prices of fertilizers and otherfarm inputs, but Fru Ndi can afford fertilizers. So, why worryyourself now Fru Ndi, accept the fact that you want to go getsome crumbs from your master's table at Etoundi.

James Achu-Farmer, Nkwen, Bamenda

Great IdeaIt would be a great idea for the two politicians to meet and

discuss the problems plaguing Cameroon, given the fact thatthey are of two extremes, Fru Ndi as opposition leader andPresident Paul Biya as National Chairman of the CPDM andHead of State. Any outcome of the meeting will give an equi-librium for the interest of the State.

Cletus Anye Matoya -Vice President CPDM Mezam I, Bamenda

What Will They Dialogue About?If it is that Fru Ndi and Biya are supposed to meet and

dialogue, then I begin to question thetype of dialogue. Are they to dia-logue on the problem of SouthernCameroon or on La Republique?If it is about La Republique,Biya is the one wearing theshoes. Now what can Fru Ndidiscuss with him? How are wesure that Biya will not turnaround tomorrow and say Fru Ndicame to beg him?

Isaac Sona, SCNC Chairman,Kumba

COMPILED BY CHRIS MBUNWE, FRANCIS TIM MBOM, OLIVEEJANG TEBUG NGOH & ELVIS TAH

OKU/MBESSA CONFLICT:

Vice Principal EscapesAssassination Attempt

BY PETERKINS MANYONG

OOBEDBED Aseka, Vice Principal of GHS Mbessa, almost paidthe supreme price when Oku warriors opened fire onhim.

In a complaint addressed to the Divisional Delegate ofEducation in Boyo, Aseka narrated that he was returning fromBamenda on a commercial motorcycle (bendskin).

Eleven kilometres from Mbessa, bullets suddenly startedraining at them from a nearby bush.

In an attempt to escape the onslaught, the bendskin riderlost control and they crashed onto a rock, both of them fallingin different directions and getting injured in the process.

"Within the twinkle of an eye, we were surrounded by morethan a hundred Oku warriors, armed to the teeth and ready tokill. I immediately raised my hands in the face of menacingguns of all sorts and cried out that I was neither of Oku norMbessa extraction," said Aseka.

In reaction, the warriors asked for his identity card andafter that ransacked his travelling bag in which they foundonly official documents.

The bendskin rider was almost lynched with the excuse thathe was a spy when he couldn't produce his identity card, wereit not for Aseka's intervention.

After that, Aseka continues, they were frogmarched at gun-point to Njinikijem, their headquarters, despite his explanationthat he was the Vice Principal of GHS Mbessa en route to pre-pare for GCE supervision.

The warriors were still unmoved even after he mentionedthe names of local Mbessa authorities, including BenjaminEbesom, Assistant Oku DO and Ezekiel Baijong, Principal ofGBSS Tonlon, Oku.

When one of the warriors using his phone informed a cer-tain Gilbert that they should get ready as two captives were ontheir way, Aseka who understood a little of the Oku language,became more alarmed.

"On the spot, I told him that if it was not to the DO's office,we would rather die than move a step further," narrated Aseka.

This resolution produced the desired effect. The spokesper-son of the warriors communicated to their headquarters givingdetails about Aseka and the bendskin rider.

Apparently, Oku authorities were not ready for a showdownwith the government. This explained why half an hour later,

BY LEOCADIA BONGBEN & EDITH WIRDZE

The British High Commissioner toCameroon, Syd Madicott, has expressed thehope that Cameroon's elections body, ELE-CAM, would be transparent.

MMADICOTTADICOTT was speaking duringcelebrations of the Queen's birth-day at his Bastos residence,

recently. He expressed anxiety to see ELECAM

members nominated, and hoped that theywould be truly independent and capable ofplaying the leadership role required ofthem.

He reiterated Britain's readiness tosupport ELECAM. The HighCommissioner used the theme of the day,which focused on leadership, to commendPresident Paul Biya's fight against corrup-tion.

He said the UK and donor countries arein support of the government's anti-corrup-

tion programme. Madicott also used the

occasion to highlightBritain's role in the issue ofclimate change, the worldfood crisis and fosteringpeace and prosperity in theworld.

He said the HighCommission is equally con-tributing its own quota todevelop leadership talent byhelping the Cameroonianpolice and prison servicesthrough the Chevening schol-arship and fellowships to thebrightest and bestCameroonians.

The celebration wasattended by government offi-cials, diplomatic missionsand a crop of Camerooniansof all works of life.

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BY NFORMI SONDE AND JATOR NJECHU

The irrational use of waste and the indis-criminate felling of trees for fuel became theconcern of environmentalists during thisyear's World Environment Day celebrationsin Yaounde.

Officials in the Ministry of the

Environment and the Protection of Nature,

MINEP, and the Coordinator of the United

Nations System in Cameroon, called for the

rational use of energy at the end of activities

marking the Environment Day on June 5.

The United Nations System Coordinator

expressed concern on how pollution and the

poor management of waste affect the health

of local inhabitants.

The coordinator also said the world is

gripped by a carbon habit, which, according

to her, should be discouraged in order to pro-

tect the environment.

Against this backdrop, the US

Ambassador to Cameroon, Janet Garvey,

said the US Embassy supports a communi-

ty-based waste management project put in

place by Centre International pour la

Recuperation, CIPRE.

The aim, according to the Garvey, is to

bring together many stakeholders in the

sorting, collection and management of

urban household waste.

She said one of the most important

aspects of reducing waste is awareness.

The diplomats pointed out that poor

farming habits such as the felling and burn-

ing of trees deplete the soil and releases a lot

of carbonic gases, which also deplete the

ozone layer, causing climate change.

This year's Environment Day, which was

celebrated under the theme; "Kick the

Habit" saw the planting of 30,000 trees in

Yaounde under the supervision of MINEP.

Also, the Secretary General at MINEP,

Patrick Akwa Kum Bong, advised citizens to

stop using carbon-emitting substances and

resort to the use of low fuel consuming

equipment.

To him, changing habits is just one of

many things that we should do in order to

effectively fight global warming.

In a series of sketches, members of the

Global Learning and Observation to Benefit

the Environment, GLOBE, demonstrated

the need to protect the environment.

Environmentalists Decry Deforestation, Pollution

High Commissioner Prays For Independence Of ELECAM Cameroonian Named BEACCommunication Officer

BY CHRISTOPHER JATOR NJECHU

CC AMEROONIAN-BORNAMEROONIAN-BORN LucieMboto Fouda has been named theCommunication Officer of the

Bank of Central African States, BEAC.He was appointed by a recent decision ofthe bank's Governor, Philibert Andzembe.Fouda, who will be commissioned into hisfunction on July 1, worked at the externalrelations services of the InternationalMonetary Fund, IMF. Before his erstwhileduty at the IMF, he was a journalist at theeconomic desk of Cameroon Tribune.Bank officials said the appointment is inline with the institutional reforms of thebank launched in April 2007, inN'Djamena. At a video conference inYaounde, recently, to present the 2007report on economic growth in the CentralAfrican Monetary and EconomicCommunity, CEMAC, Andzembe said thebank has undergone a number of reforms.One of which was the formation of aMonetary Policy Committee, whosemembers were equally presented toreporters.

Security Receives 52 NewVehicles To Curb Crime

TT HEHE Minister Delegate at thePresidency in charge of Defence,Remy Ze Meka, recently handed

over 52 new vehicles to certain units ofthe gendarmerie and military. The gesture,according to the Minister Delegate, iswithin the framework of the ongoing fightagainst crime which was initiated someyears ago by the Delegate General forNational Security, Edgar Alain MebeNgo'o. The vehicles will facilitate surveil-lance along the borders in the East andNorth provinces. Ze Meka warned againstillegal use of the vehicles and promisedsevere sanctions to defaulters.

Nkambe Mayor Presses ForUniversity Of Technology

BY WAMEY PANKY

NNKAMBEKAMBE Mayor, JonesMangoh Tanko, has insistedon the Catholic Education

Authority to open a university oftechnology in Nkambe.

The Mayor was speaking recentlyduring the graduation ceremony ofSt. Rita's Catholic Technical HighSchool Nkambe.

According to the Mayor, hismunicipality provides a conduciveenvironment for the creation of theuniversity.

He highlighted the role of techni-cal schools in providing the countrywith technocrats.

On his part, Bishop George Nkuo,who presided over the graduation cer-emony, described the mayor's requestfor the creation of the CatholicUniversity of Technology as "a gooddream."

He, however, said the CatholicEducation Authority had approved ofa university of technology in theNorthwest Province, but the site wasyet to be chosen.

Speaking earlier, NkambeSecondary Education Delegate,Augustine Nfor Mangeh, lauded theefforts of the staff and administrationin always producing excellent results.

While praising the CatholicEducation Authorities, the Delegatesaid he would do his best to encour-age the government to give confes-sional institution the most deservingassistance.

On his part, the Principal of theinstitution, Rev. Fr. Anthony LawirNdzekfula, lamented the poor enrol-ment despite his efforts to educatethe people on the importance of tech-nical education.

St. Rita's Technical High Schoolwas created in 1988. It is a mixedschool and offers technical, industrial

BY OLIVE EJANG TEBUG NGOH

The Southwest Delegation of Agricultureand Rural Development, PDARD, haslaunched a Market Information System, MIS,in the Southwest.

TTHISHIS was within the framework ofPDARD and Rumpi Area ParticipatoryDevelopment Project activities.

The event, which took place recently inKumba, brought together council and agricul-ture workers, administrators and members ofthe civil society in the Province.

Describing the project, the ProvincialDelegate, Lawrence Forwang, said MIS entailsthe collection, processing and dissemination ofmarket information in a given place, at specificperiods for public consumption.

He stated that the divisional data would besent to the central unit in Buea and periodicreports produced.

"This process would help producers and buy-ers know where to sell and buy to make profit,"he explained.

The Delegate also disclosed that they have

Forwang hoped they would extend theirservices when the means increases.

Rumpi Project Coordinator, Ogork Ntui,stated that MIS would stimulate agricultur-al production and foster development in theProvince.

He said enumerators have been trainedin all Divisions of the Province to collectdata on market information and use thelocal media to disseminate them for the ben-efit of farmers and buyers.

Ogork explained that Rumpi has boughtequipment worth FCFA 15 million to facili-tate the operation of the system.

He said computers and other facilitieswould be placed at the Divisional level,while enumerators would be provided withmobile phones and regular credit cards tofacilitate their job.

The Rumpi Coordinator urged all stake-holders to contribute to the sustainability ofthe information system, even after 2010when Rumpi Project is expected to end.

Expatiating on the multiplier effect ofthe information system, Meme SeniorDivisional Officer, SDO, Magliore Abath

Market Information System Launched In Southwest

Syd Madicott: advocating transp arency in ELECAM

US Ambassador: Garvey

Barack Hussien Obama has justobtained the Democratic nominationto run for the post of President of theUnited States of America. He has theprobability of one half to make histo-ry as the first man of African descentto become President of the USA.

TTHEHE news of his nomination hitthe world's airwaves like afirestorm. The euphoria was

record breaking; the excitement wasunstoppable all around the world.Some people even forgot that this wasjust a nomination and he has to facethe old war veteran, John McCain, ofthe Republican Party.

Africa joined in the euphoria andexcitement on the anticipation of see-ing one of theirs in the White House.From Nairobi - Kenya to Yaounde-Cameroon, from Harare-Zimbabwe toKhartoum-Sudan, the news was palat-able. The news must have first brokenout to the upper classes in these coun-tries; those who could afford cable TV.Among these classes are Africa'sdreaded dictators. They too joined inthe celebration and anticipation. Howcan we not be excited to see a son ofdirect African paternal parentage viefor the topmost post in the world? Whyshould African rulers not be excitedabout it?

With all due consideration on free-dom's tenets, ourautocrats haveno moral author-ity or reason tocelebrate oranticipate theelection of ablack man in theUSA. They standcontrary to whattoday's celebrityof democracy,Barack HussienObama, standsfor. They detestthe ideals of thecountry thatplaced the foun-dation for peoplelike Obama tothink of aspiringto such a posi-tion.

Democracy isan amoebic con-cept, which luresautocrats todefine it to suittheir caprices.No matter howwe perceivedemocracy, one

root of democracy: The ability of anation or group of persons to change itsleader at a time agreed upon, by theuse of the majority concept using a setof rules agreed by the majority.Anything that does not have this rootis not democracy.

Obama has come a long way!Obama is an outcome of a 'dream' - AMartin Luther King's dream. Thatdream that we experience not when wesleep, but when we are awake. Thatdream; defined by our vision and prac-tically invisible to the ordinary. Thatdream that we anticipate not necessar-ily in our lifetime, but know for surethat someday, somehow it will come topass. That dream that was worthyenough to submit the likes of Mandelato the confinement of his captors for 27years! That dream that perpetuallygrease the courage of the oppressedeven when all think they are paranoid.

The oppressed in Africa cannotafford not to have a 'dream'- not asleeping dream but a vision; and any-body who fears to dream fears to pros-per. We owe the obligation to learnfrom these trends of events and takestock of where we come from andwhere we need to go. Let us cage avision in our minds and that destina-tion will be attained.

Africa's trauma has been exacer-bated by our wish not to dream. A con-tinent blessed with resources aplenty.A people crushing in poverty unde-served! A people's hope anaesthetisedby extreme greed and wanton show ofpower exuberance, submerging dreamsto mere survival.

Anybody who identifies with theAmerican story and has nothing tolearn from the outcomes of the perpet-ual struggle of the oppressed or theminority dreams has to think again.Scepticism has never surpassed stead-fastness in a venture to achieve equal-ity.

Obamism And The Dream Syndrome

The PostPost No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008 Page 8

W eekender Poemdef

BY Sammy Oke Akombi

IIsaw the emotions with whichthe people of the pen and mictook up the Zidane/Matteraziissue, and I liked the show ofsolidarity. Your anger evokedin me sympathy not only forthe star's demeaning act, but

for the fact that he did not have the sameammunition to fight back. Probably thepen men forgot to consider that the inci-dent was a landmark event in the life ofthat talkative. I should not be the one totell you that he even celebrated theevent silently. Come to think of it, beforenow, has he ever been known beyond thenation's capital where he makes noise inthe airwaves?

Ngwa, have you ever bothered to findout the reason for the stalemate betweenour heroes and the pen men? It is noth-ing other than ngombo. It is no longersecret that some of the pen men havereduced themselves to street paupers,well dressed street urchins or buzzing inthe ear like mosquitoes when one strug-gles to catch a sleep. You need to seethose Hilton rascals parading them-selves like some evil spirits; corneringand squeezing anything they can fromthose guys. Of course, those who havecomplied with their nagging demandshave had their images painted with thebest of colours while those who haveignored them were simply painted inblack. Why else do you think our heroes

would prefer some white brats to theirown brothers?

My brother, dark smoke rose againfrom our promised land and the guaran-tors of our peace were promoted prema-turely beyond. I do not think there is anypeace keeping mission in heaven forwhich the Almighty might have need ofthem. Do you know that the sons ofLucifer who are perpetuating the mali-cious acts are making nonsense of thestruggle to plant the green tree? I doubtif the green tree the big guys are tryingto plant might ever grow to fruition. Itseems the Promised Land might neverbecome ours since some enemies ofprogress feel that we do not deserve toinherit it. but, does the Etoudi monar-chship deserve any better treatmentfrom the people they have neglected forso long? What, on God's earth, canexplain the abandonment of a land andpeople.

Your Etoudi people are really heart-less. They have the habit of parachutinginto an area when there is a disaster andtry to fire fight it. They should haveknown that fire fighting does not alwayswork. I hear that the people hate ourkhaki boys with a dripping passion. Amilitary uncle hinted that some deviantsfrom across the river masterminded theassault. In any case, what is ours mustcome to us in spite of all.

Ngwa, did you ever read Botha'ssatanic verses about how the sara peopleare superior beings and how they wereordained by God to rule the black skin

slaves. Thank God he lived to see theRobben Island tenant become presidentagainst all his predictions. You cannotimagine the joy I had when our Kenyanbrother clinched the nomination. I evenshared a beer with a friend to celebratethe victory since I suspect he should alsobe of Cameroonian descent. The nameObama is from the Eton tribe from theCentre Province. If his pedigree is wellinvestigated, it could be discovered thathe is also a Cameroonian. But for now, ifhe is discovered to have anyCameroonian link, it might have aneffect on his final election into the WhiteHouse because of the corruption stain.Have you ever imagined that Obamawas a Cameroonian and is talking aboutchange, you can be sure that he would betalking about it for 18 more years justlike our S party because there is no wayhe would win the election.

IIhear people are drinking palmwine to celebrate the namingceremony of the new electionsrigging body, little do theyknow that spin doctors areworking hard to make it worse

than its elder brother that managedsome masquerades in the name of elec-tions. Hopes for credible elections in thiscountry are as far fetched as thinkingthat Cameroon would one day tail theworld corruption chart.

I have to go now; you know theEuropean matches are taking part of mytime now.

Yours Sincerely, Mbella

Letter From Buea to Yaounde

Dear Ngwa,Lessons From America

Two of their best minds are slugging it outAs they yearn for the most exalted seatThe two parties got out of the primaries Without a broken tooth, nor a battered faceMoney for their deeds, they didn't fetch from thestate pondNor did a state minister stop work for the cam-paign trailNor did anyone find a stray state car on the trailA black boy with white tintWho once smoked ganja in a back streetHas been accorded acclaim and inspirationBy blacks and whites alikeMen and women alikeWith no-one, shouting out: how dare you! How dareyou!

He's disbanded and banished the clannish bar, naythe colour bar.

Let's watch out for what November shall fetch.Already, it stands out clear: the wretched can bemuch fetched.

LEGAL NOTICE

In the Court of First InstanceHolden at Menji

Suit No TM/6/08Between

Asaah Sophie Atu - PlaintiffAnd

Ngulefac Atem Callistus - Defendant

To the DefendantTAKE NOTICE that pursuant to the order

of Magistrate Otto Eseme of the Court of First

Instance, Menji, delivered on the 30/4/08, sub-

stituted service was ordered against you by

publication.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the

said suit was fixed for hearing on the 25/6/08

and no further service shall be effected on you.

Done at Human Rights Law Firm,

Mutengene,

This 9/6/08

Nchindia Peter Esq.

- The

N o r t h w e s t

w o m e n

empowering

themselves in

l a u n c h i n g

NOWEWEF

- The

M v o g - A d a

Afffair: The

A n g l o p h o n e

C a t h o l i c

Church fighting with itself for control of

Parish resources.

- Prosperity Theology: The Christians of

the Presbyterian Church, Bonamoussadi

Douala, know how to give.

- Joyce Mbongo Endeley has excelled in

academics but has life been easy?

- Bringing up boys: A look at some fami-

lies with grown up "boys"

The New Edition OfProfiles International is Out

BY PETERKINS MANYONG

It is an established fact that a dicta-tor who wants to cling to power notonly finds diversion as the best strate-gy but attributes his problems to hisenemies.

IINN most cases, such enemies are imagi-nary like Emmanuel Goldstein, thenonexistent opponent of Big Brother in

George Orwell's Nineteen-Eighty-Four. In Cameroon, it is the G11. But what,

really, is this G11? G11 is Generation 11,which refers to a group of persons with theambition to take power from Biya in theyear 2011.

The idea was brought forcefully to theattention of Cameroonians by CharlesAteba Eyene, a member of theCPDM Central Committee, when hetold the press that there wereCameroonians who had pilferedenough funds to sustain a 30-yearcivil war in Cameroon.

To give the shadow substance,the rumour machinery churned outnames, which were then leaked tothe press. Prominent among thesenames are Polycarpe Abah Abah,Urbain Oulanguena Awono andJean Marie Atangana Mebara.

The issue became cloudy and confusingwhen Celestin Djamen, a France-basedSDF militant, who once aspired to FruNdi's job but crashed, told a local Englishnewspaper that he was a member of theG11. Of course, few persons believed himand that is why focus continued to be onthe original leaders who were all membersof government.

As press reports drummed on thedetermination of the G11 to take power,Biya and his spin doctors finalised theirplot to change the Constitution and makehim life President. Having achieved thisgoal, Biya and loyalists, in characteristicGestapo style, began an onslaught on both

the known and suspected members of theG11.

The arrest and incarceration ofOlanguena and Abah Abah two and a halfmonths ago is no longer news. Neither isthe recent freezing of Olanguena'saccounts in 13 financial institutions in thecountry. What is absurd about the formerPublic Health Minister's case is thatMichel Kazatchkine, Director of the GlobalFund, which provided the moneyOlanguena is alleged to have embezzled,has declared that the funds were properlyused. The clear message was that if theBiya regime continues to keep him in thecooler, it should be for another reason.

But the regime claims that an estimat-ed FCFA 14 billion have been found in hisaccount.

Olanguena's case is not half as pathet-

ic as that of Forjindam whom Biya regimeinsiders, in the style of all dictatorships,have inextricably linked to the G11.Forjindam was not only arrested in themost clandestine and degrading manner,but is detained in an equally obnoxiousone. To detain a man who is 1.9 metres tallin a cell of less than that height is todeprive him of the right even to standerect. That he has since developed healthcomplications is no surprise.

What many , however, find difficult toswallow is the ransacking of not only hisoffice, but also his home in search ofincriminating documents o r(which is moreprobable) with the intention of planting

them. If not the latter, what is the ration-ale behind the sealing of rooms in a man'sprivate residence, which his family stilloccupies? It is surely to find all what theyhad planted there intact when they comefor them.

There are press speculations that thesame Gestapo-type operation would betaking place soon at his Bamenda resi-dence. Political observers have not ruledout the possibility of extending it even tohis Santa residence.

In the midst of all this humiliation,Northwest CPDM militants, who havebeen the main beneficiaries from hislargesse, are silent.

A rumour circulated on the eve of May20 that irate militants there were planningto set CPDM T-shirts on fire as theymarched past the grandstand in Santa, butForjindam sent word to them pleadingagainst such a move, which could be inter-preted as instigated by him. But since thenall has been tranquillity in Santa.

Ironically, it is the SDF, the Party thataccused Forjindam of mastermindingelection rigging in Santa in 2007,which has expressed concern over hisfate.

From the foregoing, it can be seenthat what Cameroonians perceive as awar on embezzlers of State funds isactually a crackdown on the regime'ssuspected enemies.

Another important lesson to beleant is that overzealousness is oftenthe forerunner of a political tragedy.

Forjindam's ordeal would have been thesubject of a wider, particularly Anglophonepublic concern, if he didn't champion themove for the very unpopular constitutionalreview of last April.

This explains why even reports that heis being victimised so that the Limbe deepseaport project can be conveniently movedto Kribi, are insufficient to raise the for-mer Chantier Naval boss to the status ofan Anglophone tragic hero. At best, he isseen as an unsuspecting pawn on a com-plex Machiavellian chess board whoserules are understood only by the masterplayers - Biya and his spin doctors on oneside and the embattled G11 on the other.

COLLECTOR’S DIARYThe PostPost No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008

WW eekendereekender

Page 9

NEWS ANALYSISBack To Base!

HELLO GUYS! It is me again.Everyone knows that it is fun tobe away in the countryside for awhile. With the rustics! Youknow, to get away from thehum-drum of urban life and

bask in the serenity of pristine civilisation; chew-ing kola nut and sipping palm wine.

If two people had not made up their minds tojoin their ancestors, my vacation would haveattained Honolulu proportions.

One Christian died. We went for the requiemmass. The priest, or the pastor, looked to me likea bank teller. He passed the baskets round justbefore communion. The incense, bowing in frontof the cross, the wafer and the chalice were rem-iniscent of a flesh-eating, blood-gurgling ritual.All of that made me feel like I had moved fromone idolatry to another one.

After the mass, we went to bury theChristian at 4 pm. After that, I went to visit myyounger sister. Then a native passed away. Wewent to his shrine. We chewed kola nut and guz-zled tons of palm wine and shaa! Then we dancednjang! It was an overnight affair.

At last, on Sunday, I retuned to my base. Tothe rumble of cars, the gurgling of lager, thefumes of cigarette smoke and the babes. In short,back to the rumbustical!

There is no news that travels as fast as a golddiscovery. When I entered the new gold mine, Iwasn't looking for Jackie but there she was, sit-ting with a man.

"Hi, he is an old friend of mine," she said tome.

"Have I complained?""N-no."The cabaret was in full swing. All the tables,

chairs and spaces taken. And the girls. Theywore bright low cut shorts and tops revealingacres of smooth flesh. They kept crossing thehall. A teenage girl wearing shorts cut from anold pair of jeans crossed the hall. The shortswere cut so high the curves of her buttocks werevisible. As she wiggled across, I tired to decidewhether or not she was wearing any underpants.

It began with a feisty little dance. Jackie hadmoved tables. Now she was with me. We steppedonto the dance floor. Jackie's lips were begging tobe kissed, her breasts melons to be fondled. Iflicked my fingers between her thighs. She melt-ed in my embrace. After a few swings on thefloor, we left.

I had been to this room before, but I was stillamazed at the opulence. The bed was coveredwith a silken quilt. A thick carpet covered all butthe outer edges of the floor.

JJACKIEACKIE unclasped the bra and herbreasts leaped into view. Then shewas on her hands and knees. In themiddle of the bed. Her rump firmly upagainst my abdomen. Then I exploded

with a loud bellow. The strength left my legs. Ifell forward on top of her, pinning her to the bed.My head of state was still twitching inside. Sheremained on her belly. I ran a palm over thesmooth globes of her rump. She turned on herback, took hold of my Kumbo striker, began tostroke it. We didn't waste time at all.

We moved to a corner of the bed. Her energyamazed me. She started to buck, writhe andgush all over. She paused.

"You will have to let me breathe!""OK, but just for a short while."Jackie is one of the finest female maniacs in

Buea. Maybe even the Southwest. She lay on herbelly.

"No man has ever made me feel this way.""It has been a lot of fun," I said.The birds were tweeting when I rolled over in

bed, checked the time on the cell phone. I tossedback the sheet. Before I could get up, Jackiereached her hand into my crotch and took hold ofmy head of state.

"I…" I started saying, but she tightened hergrip.

"You are looking for trouble if you think youare going to leave me now."

I turned toward her and ran my fingers overher.

"That's better," she said.I slid my hand down between her thighs. I

leaned over and slid into a wonderfully wet, hotcrater. We were soon bathed in perspiration inthe match that followed.

"You have made me sweat like a pig," Jackie

BY WAMEY PANKY

The smuggling of basic commodi-ties from Donga-Mantung Division toNigeria has caused a tremendous hikein prices.

AATT a meeting with businessmen, theDivisional Delegate of Trade andCommerce, Yougouda Bouba

Adamu, said smuggling out basic goodslike palm oil, cement, soap, rice and farmproduce by some traders has raised theprices of these goods.

This, according to the Delegate, hasmade life more difficult for the commonman. He further regretted that this act ismaking it practically difficult for them tocontrol prices as per presidential instruc-tions.

It was said, for example, that 20 litresof palm oil which this time last year wassold at FCFA 7,500, is being sold at FCFA14,000 and threatening to rise higher.

This was attributed to Nigerian business-men invading the oil production areas ofMbembe. It was equally hinted that theoil was not for domestic use but for indus-trial purposes.

Equally, the Delegate said that with abag of rice sold in Nigeria at FCFA35,000, they find it cheaper in Cameroonat FCFA 25,000, thus causing the localpopulation to suffer the effects.

The Delegate also remarked that theissue of cement was getting worsebecause it was not even available,although some businessmen were takingadvantage to hoard cement in order tocause artificial scarcity.

He disclosed that the Minister ofTrade and Commerce had agreed on acertain amount of cement for theNorthwest Province at a reduced price toremedy the situation. This, he regretted,was being delayed by some bottlenecks atCEMENCAM.

Beside these goods, the Delegatelamented that the illegal exportation of

cattle was equally causing hikes in theprice of beef thus making its consumptiona luxury. He said measures were beingput in place to check the situation.

On their part, the businessmen saidone of their problems was the bad roadnetwork especially from Bamenda toNkambe, Misaje, Ako and Nwa.

They said the exorbitant faresdemanded by transporters affect theprices of goods.

They argued also that the Ministerinstructed that a tablet of soap be sold atFCFA 300 but in Nkambe it would beunwise to sell it at the same price.

The bad roads notwithstanding, thebusinessmen blamed the high prices onthe trauma they receive from taxationofficials. They said besides the hightaxes, some of the taxation officers extortmoney from them.

At the end of the meeting, SDOresolved to issue an order prohibiting theillegal exportation of goods to Nigeria.

To detain a man who is 1.9metres tall in a cell of lessthan that height is todeprive him of the righteven to stand erect

Smuggling Hikes Commodity Prices

Priest Says Catholic Church Is HierarchicalBY WILLIBROAD NFORMI

Rev. Fr. Cyprian Tata, a Priest of Kumbo

Diocese has said that the Roman Catholic

Church is hierarchical.

IINN a sermon at the Tobin CatholicChurch marking the feast of theSacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Tata said

the Church is stratified with lots of hier-archical segregation that must be strictlyrespected. He added that there are cer-tain posts that are not elective.

he explained, there is no authority abovethat of the Catechist. He explained fur-ther that at the parish level, the Priestreigns supreme and his authority canonly be surpassed by that of the Bishop.

"A Bishop is appointed by the Pope onthe dictates of the Holy Spirit," Fr. Tatasaid.

He said the Bishop represents JesusChrist, but when the congregation mur-mured in apparent disapproval, he quick-ly added that as human beings, Bishopsare equally vulnerable and likely to make

must necessarily belong to a family. Hesaid for a better understanding of theworkings of the Church and God,Christians must belong to smallChristian communities, SCC.

Fr. Tata said henceforth, no Christianwould be admitted in Church if he/shedoes not belong to an SCC.

The Priest accused the Christians ofabandoning the substance and chasingthe shadow. He said a Priest is not simplyanyone in a cassock but a Pastor of theword. He urged the over 1000 Christian

Requiem For The G11

BY PEGUE MANGA

An ongoing World Wide Fund forNature, WWF studies have recommend-ed that Baka pygmies be given moreaccess to forest resources and spacewithin national parks.

BBAKAAKA pygmies make up some 40percent of the population livingaround the three national parks;

Boumba Bek, Nki and Lobeke, inSoutheast Cameroon. They are essential-ly hunters, gatherers and semi-nomadicin their lifestyle.

The studies entitled "Space andResource Use of Indigenous Baka pyg-mies" residing around Boumba Bek and

Nki National Parks are led by WWFJengi Southeast Forest Programme.Their results will provide a basis for thenegotiation of access rights for Bakaswithin protected areas, which is a priori-ty biodiversity conservation approach byWWF Jengi.

Baka Pygmies reliance on the forestfor their livelihoods prompted this recom-mendation. They harvest honey, man-goes, wild yams, medicinal plants andmany other non-timber forest productsfrom there. They hunt, live and havetheir sacred sites inside the forest. Thisdependence on the forest has made themso important to conservation efforts.After participatory mapping of theresource use areas, conducting group and

individual interviews and direct observa-tions, a WWF research team concludedthat Baka pygmies do not recognize anylimit in their quest for forest resourcesand performance of their traditional ritu-als. They carry out activities both in andaround the parks. They see both as conti-nuity and disregard the boundaries erect-ed by the minds of men. "It is importantto give them unfettered access to harvestnon-timber forest products, especiallymedicinal plants and visit to sacredsites," recommends the study.

The study gives inkling into Baka pyg-mies' strongly held beliefs, traditionalapproach to conservation, symbolicattachment to some non-timber forestproducts and their semi-nomadic way oflife. Honey, an important non-timber for-est product, is used during two importanttraditional dances called Mboma andMbomo. "The Mboma dance is performedduring funerals, while Mbomo is per-formed to chase evil spirit."

Bakas in the north and east ofBoumba Bek have permanent externaland internal camps alongside huts thatserve as resting places during penetra-tion into the forest. According to thestudy, "the internal huts sometimes pro-vide refuge for people accused of witch-craft or adultery." This brings out thedegree of penetration of the forest.

According to Dr. Louis Defo, WWFJengi Collaborative ManagementAdvisor, the studies will provide neces-sary information for the integration ofthese indigenous forest people in naturalresource management. "Given WWF'sphilosophy in participatory management,it is fundamental to address the needs of

BCA - USA Picks New ExcoBY PHILIP FOMENKY

The Bali Cultural Association in theUnited States of America, BCA - USA,recently elected a new executive to manthe activities of the Association.

TTHEHE elections, which took place atthe Brick Town Convention Centrein Oklahoma City, brought together

Bali sons and daughters worldwide. Theoccasion was also used to celebrate the20th anniversary of BCA - USA.

At the end of the day, the followingwere elected to pilot the activities of BCA- USA; President-Julius Ndangam, VicePresident-Kaspa Jella, Secretary General-Charles Tamon, Treasurer-BanyugaPefok, Financial Controller-Bridget VomaNguket, Publicity Secretary-LoraKahkunted Fogam, Chief Whip-BisonaNtungwen.

Speaking at the occasion, the outgoingPresident, Moses Ba Titamohkumi, saidthe massive attendance was a sign of theimportance they attach to their culture.He congratulated the outgoing executivefor the job they have done for the successof the Association and the Camerooniancommunity in the US. He reminded thenew executive that the progress of theAssociation is imperative, and urged themto carry out more developmental projectsin Bali.

On his part, the new President, JuliusNdangam, promised to carry out develop-mental projects and to concentrate on sen-sitisation campaigns, eradication of pover-ty and ignorance among Bali indigenes.

Meanwhile, in a paper presented dur-ing the convention, Pius Tachang, whotraveled to the US for the occasion,

dwelled on the econom-ic empowerment of theBali people both athome and in theDiaspora. TheBamenda based busi-nessman urged his fel-low Bali sons anddaughters to bringmore developments totheir village, which,according to him, is theonly legacy that theycan show for posterity.He said developmentgoes with modernityand the Bali peoplecannot afford to staybehind.

BCA-USA

Achievements

The BCA-USA,according to statisticsfrom its secretariat,has propagated andmaintained the identi-ty and cultural valuesof the Bali Chambaheritage, improvedtheir quality of life andcultivated friendshipamong fellow Cameroonians both inAmerica and in Cameroon.

Through other developmental struc-tures like Nkumu Fed Fed and BANDE-CA, it has accomplished many develop-mental, educational and health projects;the construction of modern toilets in BaliCentral, municipal water supply system,provision of scholarships to deserving stu-

dents and the ongoing construction of amulti-purpose centre in Bali etc.

It should be recalled that the BCA-USA was launched in 1988 in Atlanta,Georgia. It is apolitical, charitable and anon-profit oriented Association. It has awell structured National ExecutiveCommittee supported by more than 10standing committees and chapters incities and states across the US.

The PostPost No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008 Page 10

WW eekendereekender SOCIETY Alarming Hernia CasesOperated In Yaounde

BY LEOCADIA BONGBEN

OOUTUT of the a hundred surgicalcases identified in Mengong,Yaounde, 58 operations were car-

ried out with the most alarming beingthose of hernia.

This followed the OperationOutreach Patients activities that tookplace at the Mengong District Hospitallast week.

According to Dr. EmmanuelTatapong, the coordinator of the opera-tion financed with money meant for 60thanniversary Israeli National Day, therewere rampant cases of hernia some ofwhich were chronic.

In addition, there was a case of lym-phoma which is an accumulation of fatsin a particular area, Tatapong said.

Besides, the surgical cases, 108gynaecological cases that had to do withpelvic inflammations, manifested byabdominal pains and discharge wereequally diagnosed.

Two hundred dental extractions werealso conducted and of the 300 patientswho presented themselves for voluntaryscreening, 54 were HIV positive. Theonly setback was the fact that cataractoperation cases identified for people witheye problems could not be carried out.

Tatapong explained that the ophthal-mologic team was helpless becausecataract operations were not pro-grammed, but indicated that there areplans to go back to Mengong.

The next Outreach Patients activitiesare billed for November/December dur-ing the dry season for Baksssi. The pro-gramme was initially billed for lastFebruary but it was disturbed by theunrest that swept across the country.

Other operations are scheduled forDikinimiki, Mvenge and some parts ofEdea.

Given that Cameroon has severehealth problems, Tatapong said the onlyway the NGO Hope Solidarity con-tributes its quota is through partnershipwith the government, individual sisterNGOs and diplomatic missions such asthe Israeli Embassy.

He said 80 percent of the funds forthe Outreach activities come from contri-butions from members and from the twoHope Solidarity health centres inYaoundé and Bagolan.

The gain of Hope Solidarity in reach-ing out to patients is the joy it derives inpostponing deaths, Tatapong said,adding that the Outreach programme isequally meant to demystify surgerywhich is rather to expensive in hospitals.

He said with local anaesthesia, theoperations are carried out and thepatients can walk back home afterwards.

Tatapong, who benefited from anIsraeli Embassy-sponsored training oncare for HIV/AIDS children, expressedthe need for care to be holistic in such away that even without drugs the patientis comforted.

The key themes of the training, hesaid, centred on perceiving HIV/AIDSpatients not as victims of circumstances,but as treatable infections and the provi-

Studies Recommend More Forest Access For Baka Pygmies

Ndangam: BCA - USA; President

Lymphoma patient undergoing operation

Photo

courtesyD

avidR

ouge,WW

FJen

The Post: What are your impressions after

watching a match between SW based profes-

sionals and a local selection?Hon. Robert Scott Awanga: I think it

was very impressive. And rating our localplayers, they need some training in order toperfect their talents.

How do you assess the professionals, did

they meet with the required standard?Yes, but if I want to compare the per-

formance of the professionals with that oflocal players, it was almost equal. I don'treally know the standards, since I havenever been a footballer, but they playedalmost in the same way as the local players.

Olympic Muyuka is doing very well at the

Southwest Division II championship, what is

the force behind it?To keep up this team, one needs to

finance them. That is why I came in to makesure that they have all the necessary equip-ments needed for the team to qualify for theMTN Elite II championship. We have madesure that they have all the necessary logis-tics; doctors, feeding and accommodation.

Team presidents have come and gone;

for how long are you going to sustain the

club financially?As long as they are interested to be

footballers. In fact, I have been looking fora way to help young people use their tal-ents to empower themselves economically.So, I think this is one good avenue to helpthem.

Where do you get the finances? I am the Director of Metro Security

and also Metro Fields and ConstructionCompany. These companies are mine, so,I make my money from my businesses.

Are you saying that the team is part of

your company?No, it is not part of the company. This is

some kind of a philanthropic move to helpyoung Cameroonians gain from their tal-ents.

Do you have any plan of selling players

abroad? Normally, since that is where the eco-

nomic advantage is, we would make it possi-ble for the young players to go out sand ben-

efit economically. We are selling footballers.As a football official, what would you say

about the present performance of the Lions in

the 2010 joined World/African Nations Cup

qualifiers?I want to thank these players for promot-

ing Cameroon football. They have made usproud and are still doing so. By their per-formances, they are helping to sell the tal-ents of younger players.

INTERVIEWED BY INNOCENT MBUNWE

Olympic Muyuka Has Finances ToQualify For MTN Elite II - President

The PostPost No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008 Page 11

WW eekendereekender Sports/Advertising CEMAC Cup KicksOff SaturdayBY LEOCADIA BONGBEN

TTHEHE fifth edition of theEconomic and MonetaryCommunity of CentralAfrica, CEMAC, amateurfootball, is billed forSaturday, June 14.

The event, initially scheduled forMarch 2007, was postponed due to the factthat the leaders of member countries hadto be unanimous on the date for theCEMAC Summit of Heads of State, withthe football tournament being a sideattraction to the summit.

The CEMAC Cup falls with the frame-work of encouraging football in the sub-region, as well as opening up space forlocal players to criss-cross the CentralAfrican region. It also aims at identifyingyoung talents.

Cameroon, drawn in pool B with Chadand Equatorial Guinea, will kick start thecompetition on Saturday, June 14, againstChad, while Congo, Gabon and CentralAfrica Republic have been grouped in poolA.

The semi-finals would be played onJune 20, and the finals would be played ona date to be determined by the Heads ofStates before June 26. The Winner wouldbag FCFA 25 million, while the second andthird placed teams would get FCFA 15FCFA 10 million.

Since the institution of CEMAC Cup in2003, Cameroon has won the cup twice in2003, 2005, Equatorial Guinea in 2006,and Congo in 2007.

Augustin Edjoa, Minister of Sports andPhysical Education, who presided over themeeting, emphasised on the need for mem-bers of commissions to ensure a hitch freeorganisation. Though the budget is not yetknown, the finances for the various com-mittees have been disbursed.

Olympic Muyuka President, Hon. Robert Scott Awanga, whodoubles as President of Metro Security Oshie, Mbengwi, hasclaimed that his team is financially viable to qualify for MTNElite II. In a chat with The Post at the Molyko OmnisportStadium during an encounter between Southwest based pro-fessional footballers versus a local selection, Awanga said hewants Olympic Muyuka to pick an MTN Elite II ticket comenext football season. He also revealed his intention to help hisplayers to empower themselves economically. Excerpts:

Scott Awanga: Olympic Muyuka President

No. 0959 FridayFriday , June 13, 2008 , June 13, 2008